Law professor Randy Roth will
end his radio show to speak
for her campaign

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

Randy Roth, one of the five authors of the scathing "Broken Trust" critique that sparked the state's investigation into the Bishop Estate, today endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle.

He will make speeches on behalf of Lingle, Maui's mayor, and "do whatever she wants," Roth said.

Roth is a University of Hawaii law professor credited with playing a pivotal role in the push for the critical examination of the estate, one of the nation's largest charitable trusts, which has had strong ties to the state's dominant Democratic Party.

"I believe that absolute power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I also believe this simplistic statement says a lot about the political culture that has evolved in Hawaii," he said. "Far too often, we see cronyism and intimidation in lieu of competence and leadership.... That's got to change."

Lingle said she has admired Roth, 50, because via his books and "Price of Paradise" radio show, he "has raised questions and sought answers to many of the issues that have brought our state to where it is today."

In a letter dated Monday, attorney Guy Sibilla asked the board of directors of the Hawaii State Bar Association to order Roth, who will be association president next year, to refrain from backing Lingle. He argued such an endorsement would divide the bar.

Roth speculated that if he had endorsed Democrat Ben Cayetano, Sibilla wouldn't have objected. Roth said he is endorsing Lingle as an individual and is discontinuing his radio show and related activities.

State teachers endorse
mostly incumbents

By Michelle Cournoyer
Star-Bulletin

The Hawaii State Teachers Association has lined up behind many incumbents seeking re-election but has deferred its choice for governor.

"We have quite a lengthy process for recommending a candidate for governor," said Karen Ginoza, HSTA president. "We are talking with our teachers about the (gubernatorial) candidates and will make a decision at a later time."

The favored candidates, mostly incumbents, gained recommendations from the union's 12,000 public school teachers.

The union put each candidate through a screening process to endorse 56 nominees.

HSTA created candidate profiles from interviews and questionnaires. It reviewed incumbents' voting records on school funding.

Union members favored candidates who oppose privatization. Teachers affirmed school nutrition and health services atop their list of priorities. They also emphasized the importance of school employee involvement on changes within schools.